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A conference last fall looked at ways the ancient Egyptians adapted to “climate change”, and researchers are hoping to learn from it about how countries today can adapt.Ancient Egypt May Hold Clues for Climate Change FixThis whole notion makes me shake my head. First, the overarching agenda is socio-politically-driven. Historians/archaeologists studying the past is one thing, but trying to relate it to today is suspect, especially on a hot-button issue such as they one they're discussing. Second, why are we to assume that the methods the Egyptians used to adapt to changes would be workable or permissible nowadays? If the means of adapting included starving the masses, or neglecting large parts of Egyptian society, how could we possibly do that today? Our modern institutions are so different than what they were in ancient times that one wonders what good their methods would be for us now. And third, since ancient Egyptians lived largely in the desert, their methods for adapting to change might not work for many non-desert countries today.While I am a proponent of looking at the past to find lessons for us today, this particular Egyptian conference seems like a stretch to me.
The goal of their discussions is to unearth archaeological and geological evidence that may explain how the ancients survived climate change — and what lessons can be drawn from it.
Ridiculous. Are you going to try to tell me the Egyptians were that concerned with climate change?
Well seeing how they ruled for some 2000 years, they must have had some climate change. I am deeply impressed about the longevity of the Egyptians, and I don't know that we give them enough credit for this. Granted, there were breaks in it (e.g. when the Hyksos invaded c. 1600 B.C.) but it was still largely continuous.
Well seeing how they ruled for some 2000 years, they must have had some climate change. I am deeply impressed about the longevity of the Egyptians, and I don't know that we give them enough credit for this. Granted, there were breaks in it (e.g. when the Hyksos invaded c. 1600 B.C.) but it was still largely continuous.
Could also be indicative of little to no relevant climate change too. Might explain why their civilization wasn't stressed by outside forces.
I guess I was under the impression that the reason they held the conference about climate change among the Egyptians, was because there were changes over time. Also, I'd think that over a 2000 year span there are bound to be changes in the climate (think of the Little Ice Age that hit Europe 600 years or so ago). I got the feeling that Egypt wasn't threatened from the outside because of their relative isolation, and because of the lack of warring foe nearby (until the Hyksos). Even Sumer lasted something like 1000 years until the Akkadians came aknocking - and this was in a geographic area that was more in the middle of things. Quite an impressive run. Incidentally, my brother is going to be stationed in Egypt in a few months, not far from the Israeli border. I looked on the satellite map and images, and it's really "deserty" there. Really, there's nothing around. It amazes me that people have been traversing that area for thousands of years.
Is he going to be part of the Sinai UN Force?
I could be wrong, but I don't think so (unless that's the same as MFO). Here is where he'll be:http://www.mfo.org/northcamp.php
Is he going to be part of the Sinai UN Force?
I could be wrong, but I don't think so (unless that's the same as MFO). Here is where he'll be:http://www.mfo.org/northcamp.php
Yeah, That is the UN force. MFO stands for Multi-National Force and Observers. I spent 3 months there in 93 before the Reserves and National Guard took over the mission. It is essentially sitting on an OP ensuring the terms of the '73 Cease-fire are maintained. It was good duty as we got see the pyramids and Sharm-el-Shiek backthen, I don't know about now. I would imagine they will be locked down inside their compounds because of the current situation in Egypt. I t could get exciting, but I doubt it. The UN troops tend to not get involved in local issues unless they affect their mission and even then they are more likely to only get involved in a fight in self-defense.
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